29 August, 2008

Poor Tyler, 15

Margo Lanagan, well known short story author, should stick to short stories. This novel is a collection of short stories in chronological fashion set in the same world. The attempt at a novel created parts that were slow and unnecessary as well as the most boring plotline on the planet. The last few chapters were excellent but that was it. Nominate? No. 1Q How did it get published? 1P Yech! Forced to read it. Tyler, 15

Geez, I tried, Tyler. If lashings of good and bad sex, witchcraft, time-slippage and people-turning-into-bears are too boring, I don't know what else I can add that will lift Tender Morsels for you.

Yes, I suppose I should have qualified that. Teenagers should be encouraged to read, in that we should keep throwing possible things-they'd-like their way. I still don't know about forcing ... oh, all right, then, bring on the eye-tape and the monkeys! That's just too irresistible a picture. It makes me cringe to think they'd be forced to read a book of mine that they weren't enjoying, though.

About Me

I write fiction. My latest novel is Zeroes, the first book of the Zeroes trilogy (YA fantasy), a collaboration with Scott Westerfeld and Deborah Biancotti. My novel Sea Hearts is published as The Brides of Rollrock Island in the UK and the US. I've also written Tender Morsels and five short story collections: White Time, Black Juice, Red Spikes, Yellowcake and Cracklescape.